Quality of life and patient satisfaction in patients with atrial fibrillation on stable vitamin K antagonist treatment or switched to a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant during a 1-year follow-up: A PREFER in AF Registry substudy.

Background: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are being introduced for stroke prevention in non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation (AF), and promise to be accepted better than Vitamin K Antagonists (VKAs) by patients, improving their Quality of Life (QoL).

Aim: To assess to what extent patient-related factors influence decisions to switch from a VKA to a NOAC.

Methods: The PREFER in AF Registry collected data at baseline in 2012 - at the beginning of NOAC prescriptions - and at 1-year follow-up, in 6412 patients in seven Western European countries.

Lung cancer in renal transplant recipients: A case-control study.

Introduction: Solid organ transplant patients are at heightened risk of several cancers compared to the general population. Secondary to a higher number of procedures and better survival after transplantation, cancer is a rising health concern in this situation. Limited data exist for lung cancer (LC) after renal transplantation.

Q-TWiST analysis of patients with metastatic castrate naive prostate cancer treated by androgen deprivation therapy with or without docetaxel in the randomised phase III GETUG-AFU 15 trial.

Background: Early chemotherapy has recently become a new standard of care for patients with metastatic castrate-naive prostate cancer (mCNPC). The survival benefit is evident in patients with high-volume disease, but less clear in those with low-volume disease. Here, we assessed the trade-offs between toxicity and survival using a Quality-adjusted Time Without Symptoms of disease and Toxicity of treatment (Q-TWiST) analysis.

Cabazitaxel Versus Docetaxel As First-Line Therapy for Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Phase III Trial-FIRSTANA.

Purpose In patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), overall survival (OS) is significantly improved with cabazitaxel versus mitoxantrone after prior docetaxel treatment. FIRSTANA ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01308567) assessed whether cabazitaxel 20 mg/m (C20) or 25 mg/m (C25) is superior to docetaxel 75 mg/m (D75) in terms of OS in patients with chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC.

Global geographical variations in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction management and post-discharge mortality.

Background: There is a shortage of information on regional variations in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) management and prognosis at a global level. We aimed to compare patient profiles, in-hospital management and post-discharge mortality across several world regions.

Methods: In total, 11,559 patients with STEMI were enrolled in two prospective studies of acute coronary syndrome survivors: EPICOR (4943 patients from 555 hospitals in 20 countries in Europe and Latin America recruited between September 2010 and March 2011) and EPICOR Asia (6616 patients from 218 hospitals in eight Asian countries recruited between June 2011 and May 2012).

Solar insolation in springtime influences age of onset of bipolar I disorder.

Objective: To confirm prior findings that the larger the maximum monthly increase in solar insolation in springtime, the younger the age of onset of bipolar disorder.

Method: Data were collected from 5536 patients at 50 sites in 32 countries on six continents. Onset occurred at 456 locations in 57 countries.

Transition of care in patients with anorectal malformations: Consensus by the ARM-net consortium.

Objectives: To develop the first consensus to standardize the management of patients with Anorectal Malformations (ARMs) transitioning from childhood to adulthood.

Methods: A dedicated task force of experts performed an extensive literature review and multiple meetings to define the most important aspects of transition of care. The findings were discussed with all ARM-net consortium members and a set of practical recommendations agreed upon at the annual meeting in 2016.

Real-life cost of vitamin K antagonist treatment in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation in France in 2013.

Aims: Data highlighting the cost drivers for non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients in terms of vitamin K antagonist (VKA) treatment and monitoring are lacking in France. This study aimed to evaluate the real-life daily cost of VKA treatment in 2013, in French patients suffering from NVAF.

Methods: This longitudinal observational study was performed using the EGB (Echantillon Généraliste des Bénéficiaires) database, a random sample of the French national insurance (NHI) database, which covers 80% of the population.

Digoxin Use and Subsequent Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation With or Without Heart Failure in the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 Trial.

Background: Digoxin is widely used in patients with atrial fibrillation despite the lack of randomized controlled trials. Observational studies report conflicting results regarding its association with mortality, perhaps because of residual confounding by the presence of heart failure (HF).

Methods And Results: In the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 (Effective Anticoagulation With Factor Xa Next Generation in Atrial Fibrillation-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 48) trial, clinical outcomes of patients with atrial fibrillation with and without HF were examined by baseline digoxin use during a median follow-up of 2.

Acute Isolated Paraplegia Revealing an Ewing Sarcoma of the Thoracic Spine.

Ewing sarcoma (ES) infrequently affects the spine. Diagnosis is usually made several weeks following growing symptoms. In this report, we present the case of a child with ES localized at the upper thoracic level.

New insights into the morphogenesis of the gubernaculum testis and the inguinal canal.

There is no consensus about the role of the gubernaculum testis (GT). Nineteen human embryos (Carnegie stages 15-23), 36 fetuses (9 weeks to term), and eight neonates were examined. All the embryos and 25 fetuses (from weeks 9-16) were processed for paraffin wax histology and serially sectioned at 10 µm thickness.

Practical Insight to Monitor Home NIV in COPD Patients.

Home noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is used in COPD patients with concomitant chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure in order to correct nocturnal hypoventilation and improve sleep quality, quality of life, and survival. Monitoring of home NIV is needed to assess the effectiveness of ventilation and adherence to therapy, resolve potential adverse effects, reinforce patient knowledge, provide maintenance of the equipment, and readjust the ventilator settings according to the changing condition of the patient. Clinical monitoring is very informative.

Association Between Clinical Pathways Leading to Medical Management and Prognosis in Patients With NSTEACS.

Introduction And Objectives: A large proportion of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) are initially selected for medical management (MM) and do not undergo coronary revascularization during or immediately after the index event. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical pathways leading to MM in NSTEACS patients and their influence on prognosis.

Methods: Patient characteristics, pathways leading to MM, and 2-year outcomes were recorded in a prospective cohort of 5591 NSTEACS patients enrolled in 555 hospitals in 20 countries across Europe and Latin America.

Prediction of Everolimus Toxicity and Prognostic Value of Skeletal Muscle Index in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Background: The objective of the study was to assess the prognostic role of skeletal muscle index (SMI) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients treated with everolimus, and its effect of on everolimus-induced toxicity.

Patients And Methods: Consecutive mRCC patients treated with everolimus between February 2007 and November 2014 underwent computed tomography scans at a single center performed by the same radiologist. SMI was assessed before everolimus treatment using the L3 cross-sectional area.

Thrombus composition in sudden cardiac death from acute myocardial infarction.

Background And Aim: It was hypothesized that the pattern of coronary occlusion (thrombus composition) might contribute to the onset of ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: The TIDE (Thrombus and Inflammation in sudden DEath) study included patients with angiographically-proven acute coronary occlusion as the cause of a ST elevation MI (STEMI) complicated by Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD group) or not (STEMI group). Thrombi were obtained by thrombo-aspiration before primary percutaneous coronary stenting and analyzed with a quantitative method using scanning electron microscopy.

Insulin-Requiring Versus Noninsulin-Requiring Diabetes and Thromboembolic Risk in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: PREFER in AF.

Background: Diabetes is a known risk predictor for thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), but no study has explored the prognostic weight of insulin in this setting.

Objectives: This study evaluated the differential role of insulin versus no insulin therapy on thromboembolic risk in patients with diabetes and AF.

Methods: We accessed individual patient data from the prospective, real-world, multicenter, PREFER in AF (European Prevention of thromboembolic events-European Registry in Atrial Fibrillation).

ANCA-Associated Glomerulonephritis: Risk Factors for Renal Relapse.

Relapse in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) has been studied previously, but there are few studies on renal relapse in particular. Identifying patients at high risk of renal relapse may aid in optimizing clinical management. We investigated which clinical and histological parameters are risk factors for renal relapse in ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis (AAGN).

Prognostic Value of Baseline Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma Patients Treated With First-line Chemotherapy: A Large Multicenter Study.

Background: A high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a marker of systemic inflammation and is associated with poor survival in localized or metastatic cancer. This study assessed the prognostic value of NLR after first-line chemotherapy (CT) in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC).

Patients And Methods: Two hundred eighty consecutive patients treated with first-line platinum-based CT at 4 centers in France and Turkey between 2002 and 2014 were included.

Characteristics and outcomes of atrial fibrillation patients with or without specific symptoms: results from the PREFER in AF registry.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common condition that is a major cause of stroke. A significant proportion of patients with AF are not classically symptomatic at diagnosis or soon after diagnosis. There is little information comparing their characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of patients with symptoms, which predominate in clinical trials to those without.

Ultrasound-Guided Intermediate Site Greater Occipital Nerve Infiltration: A Technical Feasibility Study.

Background: Two studies recently reported that computed tomography (CT) guided infiltration of the greater occipital nerve at its intermediate site allows a high efficacy rate with long-lasting pain relief following procedure in occipital neuralgia and in various craniofacial pain syndromes.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of ultrasound-guided intermediate site greater occipital nerve infiltration.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

International patterns of dual antiplatelet therapy duration after acute coronary syndromes.

Objective: To describe international patterns of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) duration after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and explore its determinants and correlation with clinical events.

Methods: EPICOR (long-tErm follow-uP of anti-thrombotic management patterns In acute CORonary syndrome patients) is a prospective, international, observational study of 10 568 ACS hospital survivors enrolled in 555 centres from 20 countries across Europe and Latin America between 2010 and 2011, with telephone follow-up at quarterly intervals up to 24 months to assess treatment continuation and clinical events.

Results: Of 8593 patients discharged on DAPT, 4859 (57%) remained on uninterrupted DAPT at end of follow-up.